Re: Cervical spinal stenosis

: In 1989 I was dx with this also. The thought of having surgery was mentioned only after having MRI, mylogram but I was chicken. The pain was unreal, numbness at the base of my skull and down the left side of my neck I could ski down a mountain but to rack leaves would leave me in such pain I literally could not move. I tried PT but the pain grew. The onset of this was sudden. I woke one morning and could not move my head or L shoulder. Afer a month or so my shoulder improved but my neck was no better. I was told I had severe arthritis. I wanted to no WHY there seemed to be no real reason. This went on till June of 1993 when one morning I woke and the left side of neck had greatly improved, what happened I had no idea. A few weeks later I went to the dentist for a cleaning and the hygienst said did I know I had chipped a crown on the lower left. At that point I realized what had happened it was dental work that was causing this horific pain. In april of 1988 I had crowns done. Never did I even think of this and no one ever asked me. Alot of the pain at the base of my skull was relieved when I made a dentist remove the thickness in the back of my upper crowns. I am telling this story because if one person can be helped and this "spinal stenous" relieved that would be great.

Iam 4ft. tall and almost 44yrs. old.I was diagonosed with cervical spinal stenosis about 12 years ago.First it was pretty mild or so I thought.As I got older it became much worse.The doctors then (2 neouros)we're scared to touch it. The stenosis is in my 1st,2nd,3rd and some 4th vertebres.As well in my lumbar spine. Yes as I got older the pain and stiffness interfered with my work (which I eventually gave up). Just this past 6mos- I have really wanted to get it taken care of.I have not heard of anyone having this so close to the brain stem operated on. I am hoping to hear from someone.I do have a different doctor whom I have alot of faith in.I have had all the so called tests.(MRI CT)etc,. To anyone who has it I think my most annoying complaints are the fatigue, and the having to build you're life around your pain and muscle weakness. So if anyone can share I'd love to hear.